Collocations for "operation"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "operation" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2026
operation
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.n
- a (top-) secret operation
- a [military, undercover] operation
- an operation in [Iraq]
- has to have an operation
- an operation to fix his [leg, intestine]
- an operation on her [leg]
- a [risky, routine] operation
- a pioneering [bypass, transplant] operation
- the operation is [risky]
- an operation to [remove, examine]
- will be performing the operation
- a [ten] -hour operation
- the operation was [performed, carried out] by
- complications during the operation
- there were no complications during the operation
- the operation went as [planned, expected]
- recovering from a [leg, heart] operation
- the operation of [vehicles, heavy machinery]
- is rated for operation at extreme [temperatures, altitude, pressure]
- the operation and maintenance (of)
- the [service, plant, rule] is no longer in operation
- suspected of [fraudulent, shady] (business) operations
'operation' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
cover
- essay
- fast
- involve
- perform
- size
- undergo
- wake
- basic
- factor
- hope
- host
- why
- sight
- setting
- secret
- scale
- OK
- nose
- correct
- desert
- front
- quiet
- normal
- large
- hip
- lung
- salvage
- sting
- throat
- consent
- disregard
- duration
- elbow
- lighthouse
- liver
- mode
- recovery
- weakness
- wrench
- ankle
- oversight
- reverse
- rumble
- scar
- compromise
- disconnect
- orderly
- risky
- turnkey